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SD DSS - Sales Tax on Food Refund Program

The South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program helps low-income families stretch their food dollars. The program provides refunds of sales tax payments on food to South Dakota residents who need the refunds most.

Eligibility

You must live in South Dakota. If you are homeless you may also be eligible if you stay in South Dakota.

You and your household members must be United States citizens or have legal status to reside in the U.S.

If you reside in a place where you receive at least 50% of your meals, you are not eligible. (The 50%-or-greater meal provision must be a part of normal services provided to residents.)

In addition, your household's gross monthly income must be at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). (Amounts are updated each spring.)

Benefits

How Much will I Receive?

A national food plan is used to determine the monthly cost of food a family needs to purchase for a healthy, nutritious diet. Amounts vary based on household size. Benefits are paid quarterly, which means you will receive three months of benefits in one payment. For example, an eligible family of four may receive a quarterly sales tax refund benefit of $78.

The sales tax amount on any food stamp benefit you have received in the three months prior to the application month is deducted from the monthly amount before the sales tax refund payment is calculated. For example, if an eligible family of four received $50 in food stamp benefits in April, May and June, the July quarterly tax refund benefit would be $70.

How will I Receive my Refund?

You will receive your sales tax on food refund benefits in an electronic account. After your benefits have been approved, a plastic debit card, called the Dakota EBT card, will be sent to you along with instructions on using it. The card may be used in most grocery stores anywhere in South Dakota and in most other states.

NOTE: For more information about the Dakota EBT card, go to: http://www.state.sd.us/social/EBT/STOFR.htm.

How can I Use my Benefits?

You can use your benefits to buy almost any food item. You cannot buy hot foods such as deli items or food that will be eaten in the store, alcohol which includes beer or wine, pet food, soap, paper products, household supplies, vitamins or drugs. (The food purchases allowed are the same as in the Food Stamp Program.) If you are buying a combination of items such as food and paper goods, only the eligible food items will be paid from your Dakota EBT card. You will need to pay cash for all other items.

How do I Continue my Benefits?

Three months after you have received your first benefit, you will receive a report form in the mail. The form is simple to complete and asks for any changes in your household size and income for that three-month period.

Once you have completed your report form, mail it to: Department of Social Services, Sales Tax on Food Refund Program, 700 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501-2291. Or you can fax your completed form to (605) 773-7183. If you do not send in the form, eligibility for the program will stop, and you will need to reapply to receive further benefits.

What if I am Receiving Food Stamp Benefits?

If you have received food stamp benefits for three months in a row, you will automatically be approved for sales tax on food refund benefits, unless you have already received a refund. If you only received food stamp benefits for one or two months in a row, you can apply for this program, or you can wait until you receive food stamp benefits three months and receive automatic eligibility.

See Also:

SD DSS Food Stamps

Source:

http://www.state.sd.us/social/SalesTaxOnFoodRefund/index.htm

Back to:

South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS)

Welcome and Introduction to the South Dakota Benefits Information System

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